Time-computing machine



TIME COMPUTING MACHINE iled Jan.

F. A. KAHSER TIME COMPUTING MACHINE 26, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 almanakFiled Jan.

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I .Illia Jan-,I 6, 1925.

F. A. KAHSEF? TIME COMPUTING MACHIE Filed Jan, 26, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet:5

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Machinist EN OUTIIN QUT Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

FREDERICK A. KAISER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

TIME-COMPUTING MACHINE.

Application filed January 26, 1922.

To all whom it may conce/m.:

Be it known that FREDERICK A. KAISER, acitizen of the United States,residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, hasinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Computing Machines,of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to improvements in calculating machines, and hasfor its primary object the provision of an easily controlled andoperated machine constructed by rpredetermined manual operations tocompute mechanically diiile-rences in time.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a machine bymeans of which time cards, employed in keeping an account of the numberof hours which employees give certain tasks, or the number of hours andminutes which employees give to their respective occupations, bearingtime indications or numerals disclosing certain specific hours, may berapidly computed in a mechanical manner and Without mistake for thepurpose of determining time differentials, in order to relieve clerks ofthe necessity of mentally performing such mathematical calculations andto admit of rapid mechanical calculation of the problems from the datapresented.

lith these and other objects in view that will appear as the descriptionproceeds, the invention consists in the novel features ot construction,combinations ot elements and arrangements of parts,hereinafter fullydescribedv and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a time calculating machine constructed inaccordance with the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through themachine on the plane indicated by the line 2 2 ot' Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a similar' view on theline 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 554-5 ofFigure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on the planeindicated by the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail view ot one Of the minute wheels.

Serial No. 532,002.

Figure 8 is a detail view of the time card.

In many large industrial establishi'nents or other commercial places ofbusiness employing a relatively large number of employees, time clocksare provided for the purpose of maintaining a record of the exact numberor' hours which each individual employed applies to his occupation, oragain such time clocks are also employed, tor example, in machine shopsor other factories for the purpose of keeping an accurate record of thetime taken by an employee for performing a given task, in order that theemployer may ascertain the labor costs ot' each particular task andrender charges proportionate thereto. These time clocks when operatedprint a record on the time card or sheet corresponding to the existingtime at which the clocks are operated. In establishments employing alarge number of employees, it has been a` laborious task for a clerk tocompute the timed differentials on each card and therefore the presentinvention provides a method whereby this work may be accomplished in apurely mechanical manner and with utmost accuracy and convenience.

To this end my improved time calculating machine has been formed toinclude a rectangular box like casing 1 consisting of a base 2,upstanding walls 3 and a substantially rectangular top 4. Mounted withinthe casing is an upstanding bracket 5 which includes bearing hubs 6 and7. Arranged within the hub 6 is a stationary axle 8, which is providedwith an enlarged headed end 9 and with an opposite relatively reducedthreaded end 10, projecting beyond the bearing hub 6. Mounted upon theaxle S is a sleeve 11 and arranged for rotation with or about the sleeve11 is a first minute dial 12 of the machine.

The dial 12 may be of metallic construction and includes an annularvflange 13, disposed to extend parallel with the axle S, the said flangebeing provided with numerals beginning, as shown in Figure t with O andincluding two sets ot numerals disposed in reverse order and extendingto the numerals 9, including successively all numbers between 0 and 9.Disposed adjacent to the lirst minute dial 12 and mounted tor rotationcontiguous to the enlarged headed end 9 of the axle 8 is a second minutedial 111, which is a duplicate of the construction of the dial 12.However, the periphery o-i the dial 14 includes two complete sets ofreversely arranged numerals, extending from 0 to 5. By this arrangement,it will be apparent that the minute dials may register any fraction ofan hour up to fiftynine minutes, and when a remainder' is greater thanfifty-nine minutes or more than one hour, mechanism is provided forautomatically operating an hour indicating dial 15. This latter dial isalso of similar construction to the minute dials 12 and 14, and isloosely mounted for rotation upon a stud axle 16 carried by the bearinghub 7. The periphery of the hour dial bears two complete sets ofreversely arranged numerals indicating from 0 to 12 hours. It will beapparent that by this construction, the machine herein specificallydescribed and illustrated may be employed for the purpose of indicatingtime differentials up to twelve hours and fifty-nine minutes. However,it will be obvious that this range may be increased by changes in thedials.

Each of the dials is preferably formed to include a pressed or stampedmetallic body of light weight material, formed to include the annularperipheral flange 13 and a vertically disposed circular body 17terminating axially in enlarged hubs 18 for the reception of the axialsupports about which the dials revolve. Disposed concentrically of theaxial supports and extending horizontally at spaced circular intervalsfrom the body 17 of each dial, is a plurality of pins 19, which connectwith each dial a pair of spaced guide rings 20, which serve in thecapacity of guides for the purpose of' re ceiving horizontally extendingactuating bars 21 and 22 of the initial and final dial setting mechanismof the machine. The bars 21 constitute a part of the initial in settingmechanism, and each of said bars 21 includes a plurality of ratchetteeth 23, which latter being appropriately spaced to engage with thepins 19, and 'upon horizontal movement on the part of said bars toeffect the rotation of the dials associated therewith. The opposite endsof the bars 21, as regards the teeth 23 are pivotally connected as at 24with a plurality of seating` levers 25. These levers are pivotallymounted at their lower ends, as at 26, upon the base 2, the upper endsof said levers projecting through elongated slots 27 provided in the top4. These slots are formed to provide contiguous numeral bearing surfaces28, upon which numerals are placed corresponding to the numerals on thein side of the dials 12, 14 and 15. To support the bars 21 in theirhorizontal positions, there is provided stationary upstanding brackets29 within the casing, which include a horizontally extending cross bar30, upon which the bars 21 rest, the said bars. coutiguous to the teeth23 thereof being formed with inclined surfaces 31, which are adapted topermit the bars 21 upon being retracted, to automatically elevatethemselves, lifting the teeth 23 thereofl out of engagement with thepins 19 of the dials. It will be observed that each lever 25 hasconnected therewith a spring 32, which tends to retain the levers at theinner ends of the slots 27. By this construction, it will be apparentthat in the event a time card 32, as shown in Figure 8, which has beenprinted in the ordinary time clock and from which time calculations onthe machine are made, shows that an operator started work at, forexample, 7.25, the

lever 25 at the top of the in setting mechanism, Fig. 1, is oscillateduntil the same registers with the numeral 5 on the duated surface 28adjacent thereto. This results in causing the inclined surface 31 of thebar 21 connected with the lever actuated, to be lowered by riding off ofthe bar 30, permitting the teeth 23 of said bar to be engaged with thepins 19 of the dial 12, ro-

ta'ting the latter 5 plafces or until the numeral 5 on the in side ofthe dial is registered with the sight openings 33 provided in the top 4.It will be observed, by reference to Figure 2, that each dial isprovided with a spring 34, including a beveled nose portion disposed forengagement between the pins 19 so as to lock each particular dial in anyposition in lwhich they may be set. Owing to the ratchet construction ofthe teeth 23, the bar 21 thus moved may be forced back to its initialstarting position without interfering with the seat adjustment of thedial 12. Following this opera` tion, the intermediate lever 25 of the inmechanism is operated and is moved forwardly until said lever registerswith the number 20 on the graduated surface 28 contiguous to its slot27. This moves thev second minute dial 14 forwardly two places, or untilthe numeral 4 on the in side of the dial 14 is in registration with thesight opening' Following this operation, the setting lever 25 at thebottom of the machine is oscillated until the same registers with thenumeral 7 on the graduated surface contiguous to its slot 27, or untilthe numeral 6 en .the in side of the hour dial 15 is brought intoregistration with the sight opening 33 provided therefor in the top ofthe casing. By these cuniulat ve operations, it will be seen that thedials 12, 14 and 15, by the operation of the in mechanism in carryingout the example set forth, will be rotated so that the said dials willbe positioncd beneath the sight openings 33 to read six hours andforty-five minutes, but are not visible due to the shutter hereinafterexplained covering the registering dials 12, 14 and 15 at this stage ofthe operation.

Now. in the event that the workman has completed the specified task at,we will say,

Cil

11.15, the out mechanism is operated. rllhis mechanism is substantiallya duplicate of that employed in the in mechanism, and includes aplurality of levers 36 corresponding to the levers 25, the levers 36being pivotally mounted as at 37 within the casing 1 and so disposedthat their upper ends will project through slots 38 formed in the top 4and correspondingl to the slots 27. The slots 38 are graduated as at 39to constitute a guide for controlling` the oscillatory movement of thelever 36,` the numerals on the graduated surfaces 39 corresponding tothe numerals on the out side of the dials 12, 14 and 15. Pivotallyconnected with the levers 36 are the horizontally extending bars 22,corresponding in construction and function to the bars 21, in that thebars 33 are formed to includes the ratchet teeth designedfor engagementwith the pins 19 and so located to rotate the registering dials inopposition to the direction of rotation thereof as effected by the insetting mechanism. The levers 36 have connected therewith return springs40 which normally serve to retract the bars 22 from engagement with thepins 19, this being done by providing the bars 22 with inclined surfaces41, which when the bars are retracted, engage with a fixed cross bar 42carried by rigid upstanding brackets 43. However, upon forward movementof the bars 22, the surfaces 41 are disengaged from the cross bar 42,permitting the bars to drop into engagement with the pins 19, therebyrotating the registering dials.

In the particular example given, a task was completed at 11.15 which wasstarted at 7.25. By operating` the in setting mechanism, as previouslydescribed, the registering dials were positioned so that the numbers sixforty-five were aligned with the sight openings in the top but notvisible. The next step is to operate the out mechanism. The time whenthe task was completed is given as 11.15. Therefore, the lever 36 of theout mechanism, controlling` the movement of the first minute dial 12 isoperated until the sameregisters with the numeral 5 on the surface 39contiguous to its slot 38. By this operation, the first minute dial willbe rotated backwardly a distance equivalent to five points or until 0 isregistered by the first minute dial at the sight opening The nextoperation is to operate the middle lever 36 of the out meehanism untilthe same registers with the numeral 10 adjacent its slot 38. Thisresults in moving the second minute dial backwardly with respect to themovement imparted thereto by the in7 setting mechanism, a distance equalto one point. thus bringing the numeral 5 of the second minute dial intoregistration with the sight opening. Following this, the operating lever36 controlling the movement, by the out mechanism, of the hour dial isoperated until the said lever registers with the numeral 11 adjacent toits slot 38, rotating the hour dial backwardly a distance equivalent toeleven points, which will bring the numeral 4 of the hour dial intoregistration with the sight opening 33. It will be observed that areading will thus be effected at the sight openings indicating a timedifferential of four hours and fifty minutes, which in fact is one hourin excess of the actual time difference between the hours given.

To correct, therefore, this reading and to indicate the true differencein time, the minute dials 12 and 14 are formed to include cams 44 whichextend substantially half way around the periphery of said dials, saidcams being located in registration with the out numerals of the dials.rlhe positions of these cams are such that whenever the in numerals ofthe dials are in registration with the sight-openings, the said camswill engage and depress bars 45 pivotally mounted as at 46 within thecasing, causing the elevation of the forward up-turned ends 47 of saidbars so that the latter will be disposed in the path of reciprocatorylinks 48. These links have their outer ends pivotally connected to crankarms 49, xed to a `rotatable shaft 59, located at one end of the casing.The said shaft 50 is provided with an upstanding operating arm 51disposed to extend through a slot 52 provided in the casing top 4.rllierefore, after the operating levers 25 and 36 of the in7 and out7mechanism respectively have been operated, the operator moves the aim51, to the rear end of the slot 52, causing the rotation of the shaft 50and the crank arms 49 thereof, which results in forcing the links 48forwardly so that the nose ends thereof will ride over the elevated ends4T of kthe base 45 elevated by the cams 44. lly thus elevating the noseends of the links, the shoulders 54 provided thereon will engage withthe pins 19 of the dials, finally rotatingthe iatter a distance equaltol one point. 1t will be seen therefore that in the example given, thehour dial will be set back so that the numeral 3 thereof will be broughtinto registration with the sight opening 33, thereby giving the correcttime difference between the hours set forth. 1t will be observed thatthe cams 44 are automatically engaged to elevate the base 45 when the innumerals of the dials are in registration with the sight openings; thesaid cams, conversely, are not engaged when the out numerals of theregistering dials register with the sight openings.

To prevent a. reading from being made prior to the actuation of the arm51, which is required in every case to avoid error. the bearing hub 7 isprovided with a pivotally llt) mounted shutter 55, which extendsnormally immediately under the sight openings to conceal the registeringdials, a spring 56 being connected with said shutter to normallymaintain the same in registration with the sight openings. However, uponmovement et the outer lilik 48, the depending crank arm 57 of theshutter is engaged by said link, so that the shutter will be oscillatedto assume a position uncovering the sight openings, thereby enabling thedials to be conveniently read, but not until after the ma chine has beenfully and completely operated.

To return the dials to 0, following the completion of a given example, Iprovide the interior of the casing with slidably mounted re-setting bars58, which are slidably positioned within openings provided in thebrackets 29 and 43 and include openings 59 therein of substantiallysemi-circular construction, said openings including circular Walls 60,which terminate in angular sides 61 converging toward a slot or recess62. These recesses in the bars 58 normally receive rollers 63, mountedeccentric-ally upon the disks or dials 12, 14 and 15. Springs 64 aresituated between the outer ends of the bars 58 and the brackets 29, andthe normal tendency is to project said bars 58 so that the rollers 63will engage with the circular walls of the openings 59, stop pins 65being provided upon the bars 58 for engagement with the brackets 29after the latter have been projected a sutlicient distance under the'influence of the springs 64 to bring the rollers 63 into contact oradjustment to the walls 60. While the bars 58 are thus normallypositioned, it will be seen that the registering dials may rotate freelyin response to the setting mechanisms and under control of the brakesprings 34. Now, atter a given example has been completed and it isdesired to return the dials to 0 positions, irrespective of their finalregistering positions, I provide the shaft 50 with crank arms 66, to theouter ends of which are pivotally connected operating links 67. Theselinks project forwardly from the arms 66 and are supported in openingsformed in the bracket 43, the said links including shoulders 68 disposedfor engagement with the ends of the bars 58. It has been previouslydescribed that the arm 51 is manually moved to the rear end of the slot52 to operate the connecting mechanism and the shutter structure New, asthe arm 51 is retuf ned to its normal position, which is the forward endof the slot 52, the shoulders 68 of the link 67 engage with the rearends ot the base 58 and force the latter longitudinally against theresist-ance exercised by their springs 64, causing the rollers 63 of thedials or registers to engage with the inclined walls 61 and linally withthe recesses 62, thus locking each dial in a position in which the samewill register 0 at the sight openings. The links 67 are formed withinclined surfaces 69 which aie so disposed that after the dials havebeen re-sct, the said inclined surfaces 69 will engage with the openingsin the brackets 43 in which the links are supported. These inclinedsurfaces cause the links 67 to be elevated, freeing the shoulders 68thereof from engagement with the ends of the bars 58, allowing thelatter' to return to their normal positions by the action of theirsprings 64, without influencing the positions of the registering dials.

Further by returning arm 51 to its normal position causing the outerlink 48 to release pressure from the de )ending crank arm 57 which isconnected with the shutter 55 and by means of the spring 56 dependingcrank arm 57 is rotated until shutter 55 registers with the sightopening 33 which obstructs the view of the dials 12, 14 and 15. Afterthis has been done the device is ready for the next problem.

In view of the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, it will be obvious that the present inventionprovides mechanism for mechanically computing time differentials, toadmit of positive and accurate operation with less liability of mistake,increased accuracy, greater speed and the like to greater advantage thanthese operations can be accolnplished by manual computation. lVith theuse of the machine, unskilled labor may be employed for quicklyaccomplishing calculations dealing in time differences, and moreover,clerks and other users of the machine are not apt to be mentallyfatigued in computing a large number of calculations of the characterset forth.

The right is reserved to vary the structural details of the apparatusherein disclosed by way ol example only, within certain limits, and theinvention is not contined to the exact construction and arrangenientshown, other than the same is limited by the terms ot the followingclaims. In this connection it will be understood that although, in theexample given, which contemplates the completion of a task at 11.15which was started at 7.25 the operation of producing the properregistration has been described herein as beginning with the numeral 5at the right, it is obvious that such operation could begin with thenumeral 7 thus working from lett to right instead of troni right toleft.

That is claimed is:

1. In a machine for computing time dif- Jr'erentials, n'iovablc hour andminute indicating registers, said registers each bearing two completesets ot' numerals corresponding to the hours and minutes capable ofbeing represented thereby, means for initially setting said registers inaccordance With a given time, means operating upon said registers inopposition to said first named means to set the registers in accordancewith a second given time, and a transferring means operated by theminute register when one set of the numerals thereof assumespredetermined positions to move said hour register in the direction at adistance equal to one unit of its movement as actuated by the lirstnamed means.

2. In a machine for computingl time differentials, selectively operatedhour and minute registers, means for initially setting said registers inaccordance with a given time, and means operating upon said registers inopposition to saidy l'irst named means, and to an extent determined by asecond given time, for setting said registers in positions indicatingthe difference between said times.

3. In a machine for computing time diterences, a plurality of rotatabledials bearing hour and minute indicating numerals, means cooperativewith said dials and tending to maintain the latter at rest, initialsetting mechanism including a plurality of movable bars, having teethformed thereon, means on said dials for engagement With said teeth torotate the dials to an extent governed by the movement ot said bars, anda final setting mechanism including tooth bars disposed for engagementwith the means on said dials, said linal setting mechanism serving torotate said dials in directtions opposite to the rotary movementimparted .thereto by the initial setting mechanism.

4. In a machine for computing time diterences, a casing including asight opening, hour and minute dials independently mounted for rotationin said casing and arranged in registration with said opening, andinitially operated mechanism for setting said dials in accordance With agiven time, said mechanism including movable bars arranged to belongitudinally shifted varying distances, teeth provided upon said bars,means on said dials disposed for engagement with said teeth whereby saiddials may be rotated to various positions in accordance with the extentof movement of said bars, and a inal setting mechanism includinglongitudinally movable tooth bars manually operated for engagement withsaid dial means for rotating the latter in directions opposite to therotary movement imparted to said dials by the initial setting mechanism.

5. In a machine for computing time differences, a casing including anopening, a dial mounted in said casing inl registration with saidopening', gear means termed upon said dial, an axial support about whichsaid dial rotates, and initial setting mechanism including a.longitudinally movable bar adapted to be manually shifted, teethprovided upon said bar and disposed igor engagement with said gearmeans, whereby said dial may be rotated a distance proportionate to theextent of movement o said bar, and a linal setting mechanism including amanually operated longitudinally movable toothed bar disposed forengagement with said gear means subsequent to the operation ot theinitial setting mechanism, and serving to rotate said dial in adirection opposite to that et thel initial setting mechanism.

6. In a time computing machine, a casing, hour and minute dialsrotatably mounted Within said casing, said dials including in and outsets orn numerals disposed for registration with sight openings providedin the casing, an initially operated setting mechanism for rotating saiddials in accordance with a given time, a linally operated mechanism forsetting said dials in accordance with a second given time, said iinaloperating mechanism serving to rotate said dials in a direction oppositeto that imparted thereto by the initial setting mechanism, and means torrotating said hour dial to a further extent when the out set of numeralsof said minute dial are in registration With said sight opening.

7. In a time computing machine, hour and minute dials rotatably mountedWithin a casing, initially operated setting mechanism t'or rotating saiddials from a normal position in accordance with a given time, a finalsetting mechanism for rotating said dials in accordance With a secondgiven time and in a direction opposite to that imparted to the dials bythe initial setting mechanism, and automatically operated means forrendering the numerals on said dials visible following the tinal settingoperation thereof.

8. In a machine for computing time differentials, including hour andminute registers, manually operated means for initially setting saidregisters in accordance With a given time, and a second manuallyoperated means for re-setting said registers in accordance With a givenhour of time, Whereby said registers Will be positioned to indicate inhours and minutes the length of the period of time existing between saidgiven hours of time.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERICK A. KAISER.

